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Great work. Kris explained what he would do clearly and provided a competitive quote for the eork. He was able to start quickly and work days that accommodated my schedule and needs. I love the finished result and he explained how to care for it. Great workmanship - would hire him again.

Elliott

Adam did a great job with our flooring. He was friendly, worked quickly and well priced. Would definitely use again.

Hayley

Job booked in quickly and carried out professionally for a fair price. Would recommend.

Antonio

This page has everything you’ll need to know about finding and hiring a local garden shed/playhouse specialist.

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Garden shed and playhouse construction from local builders

Garden sheds come in a range of shapes and sizes and are increasingly used for a variety of different purposes, from storing tools and garden furniture, to providing spaces to work in or relax. Garden sheds are usually made from wood, plastic, or metal and, unless you’re after something bespoke, most sheds will come pre-built, requiring you or a tradesperson to assemble it. In most cases, a gardener, a handyman, or a builder will be able to do the job for you. 

Costs for installing or building your garden shed

The costs of the shed itself will vary greatly on what your shed is made from and its size. Most pre-built sheds will take 1-2 days to build, with costs likely to start from £200, though this will vary based on where you live. Costs can increase if you need an area cleared to make room for the shed, are opting for a concrete base or need the ground levelled before the shed can be built.

If you’re looking to add electricity, heating, lighting and furniture, this will add to the complexity of the project and you may want to research specialist shed builders who can build you something bespoke. 

Choosing the right shed

This will depend upon a number of things including:

  • Your budget.
  • The value of the items you’ll keep in the shed.
  • Your intended use of the shed.
  • Any design considerations you have relating to your house or garden.

Before you decide on the type of shed, it’s important to think about how you’ll use it. Will your shed be used to sit and relax in, to work in, or as a home for your lawnmower and other garden tools.  

Wooden sheds are usually made from softwoods like pine and cedar. Pine has a greater susceptibility to rot than cedar but is also cheaper and more widely available. It’s a good idea to treat your shed before construction and then repeat the treatment each year. This will help to keep it weather-proof. Alternatively you could look at pre-treated or pressure-treated sheds. The latter has preservative forced into the timber, resulting in almost no maintenance being required at all.

Plastic sheds tend to be cheaper than wooden sheds. They’re lighter, won’t rot or burn, and are often simpler to construct. On the downside, because of its plastic construction, the hinges for the doors and locks will likely be plastic meaning security can be a concern, and you may have limits on the amount you can hang on the walls. You’ll also want to think about how your new shed will look in situ – plastic sheds often struggle for style points.

Metal sheds are made to last (but beware the cheap, thin metal sheds which corrode quickly). They’re low maintenance as the metal is galvanised, making them weather proof. They’re also heavy, meaning they’re robust and can be made very secure, but this means they can be trickier to put up, with the panels of the shed weighing significantly more than other alternatives.

Whichever option you choose, a solid base is vital to ensure your shed is able to withstand the rigours of daily use (removing tools and equipment from a shed will test how well built your shed is) and bad weather. Ask your tradesperson before they quote about whether any clearance is needed, how they plan to create a solid base for the shed and whether there’s any work required to level off the ground.

There are no specific qualifications that a tradesperson will need to build a shed. It’s always advisable to see proof of similar projects they’ve been done for other homeowners.   

Planning permission for building a garden shed

You shouldn’t need planning permission to build a shed if:

  • Your shed is only being used for domestic purposes.
  • Your shed has a maximum height of 4 metres.
  • The ground area covered by your shed is less than 50% of the total ground space of your home.

For all the latest planning permission advice and for all the qualifying criteria, visit the Planning Portal.

Insurance for electrical work

Whichever tradesperson you choose to build your shed, they should have public liability insurance. This isn’t a requirement but gives you peace of mind should there be any property damage or personal injury claims as a result of the work.

Questions you should ask your tradesperson

  • Do they have public liability insurance and what does this cover?
  • What kind of jobs do they tend to do the most? Can they give you references for previous work?
  • Will it be themselves that build the shed? If a concrete base is needed, or if you’d like electricity in your shed, will they be doing this work themselves or working with other tradespeople?

Whether it's damage caused by leaking pipes, storms, fire, or damage from tenants, Concept Claim Solutions (Islington) drives forward the claim settlement and manages the repairs using our network of approved contractors. The Fix Starts Here Whether you need emergency repairs or a structural survey, we can help. As part of our service, we create a detailed quotation and handle all negotiations and communications with the insurer. Followed by using trusted local contractors to transform the damaged property, meaning you can be confident the building and restoration works will be completed to a high standard. There is no charge for the service when you use our contractors. You only pay your insurance policy excess. Become an Associated Partner For over 20 years, partners such as insurance brokers, property management companies, letting agents and emergency contractors, have trusted and relied on Concept to deliver outstanding service to their customers when they need it most. Through a partnership, businesses offer domestic and commercial property owners a complete solution for restoring their property to its pre-loss condition as swiftly as possible and with minimal disruption to their lives, in addition to Concept recommending their service to its extensive network of partners. Concept Claim Solutions (Islington) is a franchise owned and operated under license, with a registered name of Investpro J.S. Ltd. Investpro J.S. Ltd trading as Concept Claim Solutions (Islington) is an Appointed Representative of Citrus Compliance. Citrus Compliance is a trading name of Andrew Smith which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Henderson & Kent Builders Ltd provide an excellent service for all aspects of building works covering Hull and surrounding areas, weather your looking for full new builds, extensions or renovation works were more than happy to provide a no obligation quote.

We are an established building company that has been trading for 20 years.Our work covers all types of construction from new builds to repairs,including extensions and loft conversions.All our work is high quality and reasonably priced.No job is too small

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Reviewed by Emma on 23/6/2023

Job was easy to arrange, done quickly & good price too. Very pleased & would definitely use them again.

NICEIC approved and fully insured electrical contractors covering all of London. Welcome to the world of Bennet Baldwin Ltd. We are the premium choice in emergency electrical work, offering our expertise and service to keep your home and business safe. Our team of professional and reliable contractors are available 24/7 to attend to all kinds of emergency electrical repairs and issues. Whether it’s fixing a faulty circuit or replacing your old fuse board, you can count on us to deliver the highest quality work at competitive prices. With the best materials, a comprehensive guarantee and full customer satisfaction, you can rest assured that you will get the perfect solution for your electrical needs. We understand that emergencies can occur anytime and we take pride in offering a fast and efficient response to ensure your safety and comfort. Our experienced electricians know exactly what needs to be done and are always prepared for any challenge. With the latest technology and top of the line safety equipment, no job is too big or small for us. At Bennet Baldwin Ltd, we strive to provide excellent customer service and value for money. With a free quote and free consultation service, you can be sure that you will get the best solution for your electrical requirements. Make the right choice with Bennet Baldwin Ltd . Put your mind at ease and get in touch with us today!

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Reviewed by Shilpa on 22/4/2024

Quotes shared timely, good communication and excellent work done in under a week. Will certainly use their services again if needed. Recommended.

Here at A1 Property we pride our selfs in offering the very best craftsmanship at fully competitive prices and have years of experience

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Reviewed by davood on 18/5/2024

Increased the price one day before doing the job and refused to give me a breakdown for this price.

We specialise in all type of carpentry services in London and surrounding areas,from installing shelvs,fitting doors, to fitted wardrobes and new storage units,fit kitchens,flooring,decking etc. Don't hesitate to call us for a free quote!

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Reviewed by Robert on 30/6/2024

Simply great, came round took notes, went through all we wanted, gave quote including materials, required 50% up front rest on completion, turn up as agreed, said it would take a week but done in 4 days! We added a few minor things as we remembered them but no hassle, added them in. Very happy with results.

Looking to hire a tree surgeon in Yorkshire ? You came to the right place. Mrnettlesgardening is a family run tree surgery company, offering an extensive range of tree surgery services for customers all over the county. Our Leeds tree surgeons have unrivalled experience in tree care and maintenance and have been working in the arboricultural industry for over 14 years.

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Reviewed by Patrick on 4/8/2024

Mr Mower is a small family run business and we do a range of garden services. Lawn mowing Fencing Hedge Cutting Landscaping Decking Turfing Patios Garden clearance

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Reviewed by mena on 7/2/2024

Carl is an excellent professional. He installed super fast a beautiful deck in our garden. Thank you very much, Carl, no more muddy garden, we will enjoy the decking and the outdoor living thanks to you! Definitely, I would recommend you for any outdoor work.

Here at 5 star luxury drives, patio’s & landscaping we offer a number of services while getting the job done well with many years of experience and also offer a very friendly service through out the job if needing a quote then please contact us on our page or website and we we’ll get back to you a soon as possible thank you.

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Reviewed by Cassidy on 23/11/2024

Over 10 years experience in fitting kitchens and general carpentry including doors, wardrobes, stairs, handrails, flooring, wood stud, roofing, but also high quality plumbing, electrical and other refurbishments

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Reviewed by keith on 16/4/2024

Very professional and hard working Easy to communicate with and regularly asking questions as to what I wanted Would definitely use again

Before anything else, preparation is the key to success!!! All jobs require the highest level of effort and attention to detail, my belief is every customer deserves the service I would expect for myself. I can offer professional advice and assistance to the keen DIY’er or self builder. Alternatively, I can take on and complete your home improvement projects. No job too big or small. Exterior jobs include but not limited to: •Painting •Patios & Decking •Driveways •Fencing •Drainage •Sheds and bases •Raised planters •Landscaping •Garden clearance •Demolition work •All small jobs including garden furniture assembly Interior jobs include but not limited to: •Painting and decorating •carpentry work •Light fittings and socket replacement •Flooring, skirting boards, door hanging & architraves •Blinds and curtain poles •Shelving and wall mounted TV’s •Bespoke built in wardrobes & media walls •Wooden furniture Repairs •Furniture and flat pack assembly I have the experience and knowledge to deliver most home projects. All jobs considered

We have over 30 years experience in the building industry specifically in all aspects of carpentry

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Reviewed by Femi on 9/12/2024

10 years of experience in all tree and landscaping industry specialised in all types of fencing work free quotation and advice no job to big no job to small we can do it all

M&M Landscape Gardens

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Reviewed by Martin on 14/11/2024

A great job replacing old fence with new. So good that getting the fence at the front garden done as well

London Development uk ltd is our company, we have been trading for over 12 years in the construction business. - We are a fully insured company with a big portfolio of jobs completed and we are friendly and reliable on any work and business that is coming across. - We can do big jobs as new buildings or full refurbishments, basements, extensions, lofts conversions etc and also we can do small jobs as bathroom refurbishments or even smaller is always space and time for a new job. - We guarantee you that you will get the best workmanship on your job with best skills and acknowledge in the construction industry, time effective and costly effective for customers. Try our company and you will gain the benefits!!!

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Reviewed by Rita on 25/12/2023

Peter contacted me and was amazing, professional with his quote and recommendation. Very clean, tidy service and very open and honest. Peter and his team are excellent builders.

With 20 years experience as a qualified Joiner and builder I pride myself on providing a high end finish on all of my jobs. I am not happy until I know you are happy so I 100% guarantee my work and I treat each project like I would my own home. We are a joinery based building company with a wide and varied range of experience with our specialty being in full home renovations. Although relatively new to Rated People, we have a long history of happy customers with many positive online reviews. We are equally happy completing small jobs as we are taking on the bigger projects and always provide very competitive pricing. We have built many homes from the ground up completing all aspects of the job including Kitchens, bathrooms, attic conversions, garage conversions, foundations, roofs, windows and doors, decks and fences to name but a few

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Reviewed by Angela on 18/11/2024

Great expertise and attention to detail. Couldn’t be happier

Hello, We are BUILD SAFE HOMES LTD Building contractor with 20 years of experience -Extensions -Loft Conversions -Kitchen fitting -Bathroom fitting -Plumbing -Electrical -Tiling -Carpentry -Decoration -Decking -Driveways -Garden offices -Scaffolding -Roofing All works are insured and covered by 12 months warranty. Please shortlist our company and we will be delighted to assist you with your building project! Regards BUILD SAFE LTD

I am based out of Gloucester, but willing to travel to surrounding cities. I am extremely confident in my skill set. When it comes this trade, nothing beats the experience I have.

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Reviewed by Gary on 19/12/2023

Glyn came round very quickly and did a cracking job in my soffit this was very rotten and degraded. Punctual and completed the job as described would recommend

CJ Interiors is a new self employed buisness and is based in Tameside... We cover all of the north west. I am a qualified kitchen and bedroom fitter and also cover all aspects of interior joinery... I also cover a majority of other aspects of building work.... brickwork, plumbing, plastering, man with van, removals and have a specialist wall mural/paint effects person on board with us.

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Reviewed by Harriet on 2/7/2023

Top quality work by quality guys - so timely, so considerate and beyond diligent. Delighted with the end product!

Over 20 years experience in all aspects of Plastering and building services. Fully qualified and insured workmanship to the highest standards, references can be provided upon request.

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